Jorge Masvidal has a big card planned for Gambred Boxing 4 on April 1, one that will include a host of MMA notables.

Appearing on The MMA Hour on Monday, Masvidal revealed that Anthony Pettis will headline the show against boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.

Pettis, a former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, was most recently seen competing for the Professional Fighters League. His last season didn’t end well, however, with “Showtime” losing to fellow UFC vet Stevie Ray twice in 2022, ending up being bounced from the playoffs by the Scotsman.

Roy Jones Jr., who retired as a pro back in 2018 with a record of 66-9, was last seen in an exhibition bout against Mike Tyson in 2020. The bout was ruled a draw as it went the distance due to its exhibition nature, with most feeling Tyson would have won.

The big name match-ups don’t stop there. Jose Aldo, who will make his pro boxing debut later this month, will return to the ring against an old UFC rival in Jeremy Stephens. Vitor Belfort, meanwhile, will take on Jacare Souza, in a match-up of Brazilian legends.

Paul “Semtex” Daley, who retired from MMA last year, will also take part, facing Anthony Taylor, who infamously scuffled with Dillon Danis following a Misfits Boxing weigh-in last year. UFC vets Pearl Gonzalez and Gina Mazany will also collide.

According to Masvidal, all of the announced bouts will be six rounds, except for the main event. That is likely to be a 10-round affair. All will also be professional bouts, not exhibitions.

“Always been a fan of Roy Jones, always wanted to work with Roy Jones in some capacity,” Masvidal said Monday.

Gamebred Boxing 4 will take place at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 1, 2023. The full card as it currently sits breaks down as follows:

Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr.
Vitor Belfort vs. Ronaldo Souza
Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens
Devin Cushing vs. Damian Marciano
Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gina Mazany
Paul Daley vs. Anthony Taylor
Dillon Klecker vs. Josh Burns
Bi Nguyen vs. TBD

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The “spring cleaning” is the latest round of roster trimming, after the UFC parted ways with over a dozen fighters back in late February/March.

The full list of fighters removed from the roster, first identified by automated service UFC Roster Watch on Twitter, breaks down as follows:

• Ike Villanueva
• Fares Ziam
• Luigi Vendramini
• Kazula Vargas
• Mark Striegl
• Jesse Strader
• Bruno Souza
• Devonte Smith
• Rong Zhu
• Kris Moutinho
• Brandon Jenkins
• Austin Hubbard
• Mike Grundy
• Michael Gillmore
• Cameron Else
• Kevin Croom
• Dean Barry
• Gina Mazany

Several of the fighters released have since confirmed the news on social media.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is Barry, who is now one-and-done as a UFC fighter. Ireland’s Barry competed against Mike Jackson last month, a part-time fighter and MMA journalist best known for being brought into the promotion to face Micky Gall and pro wrestler CM Punk. Jackson lost to Gall, beat Punk in a boring three-round affair that was later overturned to a No Contest, and somehow kept his roster spot. In a foul-filled affair, Jackson would win a DQ against Barry, who has now been shown the door as a result.

The timing is perhaps particularly cruel in the case of Mike Grundy and Ike Villanueva. Grundy last competed at UFC London in March, and announced at the event that his father was terminally ill. Villanueva, meanwhile, suffered a grade 3 MCL tear in his fight against Tyson Pedro last month.

Another surprise, Kris Moutinho, who faced Sean O’Malley on short notice last year, winning a Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts. While he was knocked out in his second UFC fight this past March, stepping up on short notice, and winning a bonus in the process usually gives a fighter a bit of breathing room. Not so in this case.

Confirming his release on social media, Jesse Strader vowed to return to the promotion.

“I’ll be back, baby. I’m only getting better & I’m in love with this journey I’m on!!!” he wrote.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdJxPPTF_LP/

With the release of Vargas and Vendramini, both of Paddy Pimblett’s UFC opponents to date are no longer with the promotion.

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Both fighters were former bantamweights, looking to rebound from recent losses. One would do just that, in style.

With no glove touch, both women took the center of the octagon. A low kick from Mazany opened up the fight. Mazany put Young against the fence but reversed and escaped. Mazany landed a couple of punches and then attempted another takedown by putting Young against the fence yet again. Mazany started throwing knees to Young’s thighs, and then Young escaped. Young ate a knee from Mazany that dropped her for a second, but she recovered quickly. A 1-2 from Mazany followed by a low kick from Young. Mazany rushed in and landed a punch with less than 30 seconds left, and then Young threw a push kick. The round ended with Young landing a combo.

Round two started with Young landing a 1-2 and body kick. Both women exchanged single punches for about 30 seconds. Mazany landed a few left hands that hurt Young. Young landed a few kicks, and then Mazany landed a leaping hook. Mazany got a body lock and landed to a big throw, but Young quickly got up. Mazany tried for a headlock throw; however, Young reversed Mazany, got back mount, flattened her out, and started landing punches forcing the referee to step in.

The SHANIMAL gets it done 😤@ShanimalShanna comes in with the dominant TKO in RD 2!

[ #UFCVegas53 | Prelims LIVE on ESPN 2 ] pic.twitter.com/zuZiMSOZcp

— UFC (@ufc) April 30, 2022

Young picks up her first UFC win with the TKO stoppage, while handing Mazany her second consecutive loss.

Official Result: Shanna Young def. Gina Mazany by TKO (punches), Round 2, 3:11

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Fighting at the previously unannounced card will be Gina Mazany (7-5) and Shanna Young (7-4). MMA Junkie was first to report news of the match-up on Wednesday. Mazany later confirmed the booking on social media.

Mazany has been trading wins and losses across her last four fights, and has posted a 1-1 record since moving to flyweight in 2020. “Danger” defeated Rachael Ostovich with body kicks when she debuted in the weight class, but was finished herself at UFC 262 last year by Priscila Cachoeira.

Training with Glory MMA and Fitness under James Krause these days, Gina Mazany entered the UFC an undefeated 4-0 back in 2016. Prior to joining the big show, she had fought only sporadically, making her pro debut in 2008, fighting once the following year, then stepping away until 2013.

Invicta FC veteran Young (7-4) will be looking to snap a two-fight losing streak come April. “The Shannimal” dropped her UFC debut to Macy Chiasson in 2020, then followed that up with a TKO loss at the hands of Stephanie Egger last year. Both those bouts came at bantamweight, but Young did compete as a flyweight prior to joining the UFC.

The April 30, 2022 show is expected to be a Fight Night event. No location, venue, or broadcast plan has been officially announced.

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Mazany and Cachoeira clinched early, with Cachoeira finding success with her right hand. Mazany, however, drove her opponent into the fence, changed levels, and landed an early takedown. With four minutes remaining and both fighters dry, that gave Gina “Danger” plenty of time to work. Cachoeira wall-walked up, but Mazany quickly put her back down. Sitting in half-guard, Mazany peppered the Brazilian with shots to the side of the head, while tying up her opponents other arm.

Back on the feet, Cachoeira once again found success with her striking. But once again, Mazany wisely, and seemingly effortlessly, took the fight back to the ground. Mazany was looking solid at flyweight, having come a long way from the fighter who missed the bantamweight limit for her UFC debut in 2017.

Mazany opened round two with a trip, immediately putting Cachoeira on her back. After some time spent in half-guard, a scramble would lead to Mazany taking the back. Cachoeira, however, was able to get back to guard. A stand-up came later in the round, with just over two minutes remaining. That led to Cachoeira landing a sharp right hand. Mazany, cut open while the pair had exchanged on the ground, was bleeding. She dropped for a takedown, but couldn’t land it. Cachoeira appeared to be fresher, and began walking her opponent down. After tagging Mazany several times, ref Mike Beltran had seen enough, waving it off.

Pouring it on! 👊

🇧🇷@PedritaUFC adds another finish to her resume at #UFC262! pic.twitter.com/ZAvAFM9uMj

— UFC (@ufc) May 15, 2021

Official Result: Priscila Cachoeira def. Gina Mazany by TKO, Round 2, 4:51

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According to a report by Combate, Priscila Cachoeira and Gina Mazany will fight on May 15. Mazany also announced the news on social media.

Mazany (7-4) has not had the most success in the UFC thus far. However, she appears to be going in the right direction after her last fight. Mazany changed fight camps to Glory MMA and dropped down to flyweight for her most recent bout, coming up with a solid result. She finished Rachael Ostovich via TKO at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark, which in turn gave Ostovich her walking papers. Before that win, Mazany had lost in 22 seconds five months earlier, opposite Julia Avila.

Mazany was released from the UFC to start the year in 2020 after going 1-4 but fought her way back. She is looking to start over at flyweight.

Cachoeira (9-3) was essentially fighting for her job in February of last year. She wound up giving UFC fans one of the best KOs of 2020 when she knocked Shana Dobson out in New Zealand. Cachoeira looked to capitalize on her first UFC win on Halloween, but a botched weight cut scrapped her fight with Cortney Casey. It will be over a year since she lost fought when she faces Mazany.

There are no other fights announced as of yet for the UFC’s May 15, 2021 event. No location/venue has been revealed for the date.

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Ostovich was 1-2 in the UFC, having fought just once a year since 2017. A myriad of mishaps had kept her from competing on a regular basis, and cut her some slack, but a third consecutive loss would be disastrous.

Mazany, meanwhile, was on her second run with the UFC, but with a 1-4 record between two stints, she was badly in need of a win as well. “Danger” was also dropping to flyweight for the first time at UFC Vegas 15.

Gina Mazany looked to put the pressure on early on Saturday night, but Ostovich answered by landing a body kick. The Hawaiian’s hands got going as well, so Mazany went the takedown route, taking the back and locking on a body triangle. That was bad news early in a fight with both ladies dry. Ostovich broke free and scrambled out, however, leaving the pair back on their feet. Ostovich found her range, landing overhands and hooks, leading Mazany to tie her up against the fence, kneeing her opponent’s thigh and no doubt thinking of taking the fight back down.

That didn’t happen — but Mazany had the fight back to the ground early in the second. Ostovich immediately looked for an arm-bar from bottom. Back on the feet, a bit of a brawl erupted until Mazany initiated another takedown and moved to mount. Ostovich eventually worked her way up, with Mazany keeping the pressure on, taking the back and throwing her back down. Mazany’s wrestling was making all the difference, with Ostovich being controlled, and soon pieced up a bit one the feet as well.

Round three saw Mazany immediately tie her opponent up. Hawaii’s Ostovich looked exhausted. She managed to fight off a takedown, however. On the feet, she was still landing, but Mazany was as well. Including a nasty kick to the body. When Mazany took the back, she unloaded on Ostovich, who was forced to cover up. Ostovich showed her Hawaiian fighting spirit, enduring the beating and getting back to her feet. But another kick to the body then put her down, and gave Mazany the finish!

Powerful shots to the body earns @GinaDangerAK the 3rd round finish!

📺 #UFCVegas15 live on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/yvpY2kBSVt

— UFC (@ufc) November 29, 2020

Gina Mazany looked like a new fighter at UFC Vegas 15. Her strikes were on-point, her wrestling dominant, and her kicks served as the icing on the cake. It’s a fresh start for “Danger” who appears to have found a new home at 125lbs.

Official Result: Gina Mazany def. Rachael Ostovich by TKO, Round 3, 4:10

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Weight-cutting is the ultimate test of discipline and willpower. Many fighters in the sport consider it very unprofessional to miss weight. In this series, we will shine a light on fighters who cut a massive amount of weight, who have missed weight multiple times in the past, who have made weight-class changes, along with how the weight-cut and weigh-in could affect possible upcoming match-ups. Basically, every aspect of weight-cutting and how it affects the fight game.

Anthony “Lionheart” Smith (33-16 MMA, 8-6 UFC)

Middleweight (185lbs): 4-3 (UFC)

Light heavyweight (205lbs): 4-3 (UFC), Former UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challenger

Anthony Smith is a veteran in the UFC and one of the best examples for the Weight Cutting Chronicles Series thanks to his title run after moving up in weight back in 2018. At 6’4″ and a 76″ reach, Smith was focusing a lot on his weight cut as opposed to the actual opponent for his upcoming fights. Smith beat good opponents in the UFC at middleweight but moved up to light heavyweight after a loss to Thiago Santos in early 2018.

Smith immediately went on a hot streak at 205lbs, rattling off three finish wins, with two of those being over former UFC champions. Rashad Evans, Mauricio Rua, and Volkan Oezdemir all fell in 2018 on the way to Smith’s unsuccessful title shot against Jon Jones in early 2019.

Since then, Smith has only beaten Alexander Gustafssson, before falling to two high-level contenders in Glover Teixeria and Aleksandar Rakic in his most recent fights. Lionheart now has the same record at 205lbs as he did at 185lbs. He will look to get back in the win column on November 28 at UFC Vegas 15.

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Mazany (6-4), originally from Anchorage, Alaska, had been training with Xtreme Couture out in Las Vegas. But now in her second stint in the UFC, “Danger” switched things up, making the move to Missouri to join Glory MMA and Fitness under James Krause. Mazany’s fiance, Tim Elliott, trains there as well.

Once a bantamweight, the 32-year old is also dropping down a weight class. She’ll be making her flyweight debut against Hawaii’s Rachel Ostovich on Saturday.

Ostovich went on record at the UFC Vegas 15 media day to say she felt like it could be her last fight in the UFC, should she lose. Mazany has experienced that feeling before herself — but not ahead of this fight. “This is me at a new weight class, coming down from 135. I genuinely feel like this isn’t even close to the end. I really feel like it’s just a new beginning,” she told Cageside Press. “I moved gyms, I moved states, I moved coaches. I’m in my opinion training with one of the best coaches in the world, James Krause. And I just feel like there’s nothing but up from here.”

Of course, the move down in weight hasn’t been a walk in the park. “I’m hungry,” Mazany said slyly, before adding that she was kidding. But the soon to be debuting flyweight admitted that “it’s been quite a transition in the sense that I had to really clean up my diet. I’ve been on, I’ll call it a strict diet for the past ten weeks. Was just on a heavy, heavy training schedule. When I came there, James Krause put me on a pretty crazy schedule that I don’t think a lot of people could handle.”

That heavy schedule included more than just two-a-days. “There were some days that I would be training four times a day, I would have four sessions a day.”

The payoff has been there so far. “I feel great at flyweight,” Mazany stated. “The dieting obviously sucks, because I love food. Who doesn’t love food? But I felt like as I’ve gotten smaller, I just feel faster. I feel I’m throwing a lot quicker, I still feel strong.”

This weekend, of course, will be the real test. But “Danger” appeared to be in a positive state of mind. Helped out, perhaps, by some less common training techniques. Mazany mixes meditation with her training, especially prior to going to bed. Sleep, after all, is a little tougher with an “empty, growly tummy.” She’s been doing it for a while now, and while her busy training schedule means she can’t meditate during the day, “in the evenings, I definitely still meditate. For sure.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 15 virtual media day press scrum with Gina Mazany above. The event takes place this Saturday, November 28, airing live on ESPN. The main card kicks off at 10PM ET.

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MMA Junkie was first to report the pairing, which will see Ostovich (4-5) fighting for the first time in 2020. The Hawaiian is looking to snap back-to-back losses against Paige VanZant and Montana De La Rosa. She’ll also be returning to action for the first time since a USADA suspension stemming from a contaminated supplement.

Mazany (6-4) is 1-3 across her last four fights, most recently coming off a loss to Julia Avila in May. That fight saw her stopped in just 22 seconds. Prior to that, she’d actually been out of the UFC, picking up a win in King of the Cage against Valerie Barney.

In her first run with the UFC, Mazany went 1-3, with the lone win coming against Wu Yanan in 2017. That fight had Mazany upsetting the Chinese fighter in Shanghai.

The UFC’s November 28 card does not yet have an official event name/designation or location announced. The promotion returns to “Fight Island” later this month, for an extended stay.

The event currently features the following bouts:

Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis
Norma Dumont vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith
Josh Parisian vs. Parker Porter
Gina Mazany vs. Rachael Ostovich

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